Herbal nutraceutical formulation for diabetics and process for preparing the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a herbal nutraceutical formulation for diabetics, and also relates to a process for the preparation of the formulation. The formulation comprises the base product of a microwave roasted seed powder mixture from selected genera of  Glycine, Cicer, Phaseolus, Cyamompsis, Mucuna, Hordeum, Amaranthus  and  Fagopyrum,  fortified with herbs/medicinal plants selected from the genera of  Gymnema, Momordica, Syzgium, Pterocarpus, Trigonella, Cinnamomum, Withania, Coccinia, Pueraria, Asparagus, Boerhaavia  and  Aegle.  Other ingredients like  Piper longum, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Curcuma longa  and  Elettaria cardamomum  are also added to the final nutraceutical product. The nutraceuticals are non toxic, natural herbal plant products, easy to digest that ameliorate the general health and vigor of diabetics.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/108,095, filed Mar. 26, 2002, and allowed Oct. 4, 2005

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to herbal nutraceutical formulations to ameliorate the general health of diabetics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

The nutraceutical food or parts of food may provide medical health benefits including the prevention and or treatment of diseases. Nutraceuticals, are foods or bioactive ingredients in foods that protect or promote health whether delivered in raw agricultural commodities, processed foods, dietary supplements, extracts, beverages or other products and occurs at the intersection of food and pharmaceutical industries. The development of next generation nutraceutical “super foods” or products consist value-addition in the traditional natural diets. Their ingredients have tremendous impact on the health care system and may provide medical health benefits including the prevention and or treatment of diseases. Nutraceuticals have potential to be used as food supplement, preventive medicine and the growing evidence points in the direction that certain foods fight and or prevent against diseases.

The word Nutraceuticals combine ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceuticals’ to mean that they can be used as preventive drugs or food supplements. The entire concept is based on the disease preventing/treating phytonutrients present in foodstuffs of the diet in combating diseases e.g. phytosterols compete with dietary cholesterol for uptake in intestine thereby blocking cholesterol absorption into the body and can also prevent the development of tumor in breast and prostate glands. Phenols a large group of phytonutrients, have profound importance in preventive medicine. Phytochemicals can enhance the efficacy of vitamin C, can also act against allergies, ulcers, tumors, platelet aggregation, controlling hypertension and reduce the risk of estrogen induced cancer.

The food plays significant role in the general health of diabetics, heart, nerves and aged. The right foods do have the power to heal, keeping good health of body functions, ageing, rejuvenating, immuno-modulating and prevention against diseases, just as the wrong foods can cause sickness, rapid ageing and premature death.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Reference is made to a book by Balch P A & Balch J F (Rx Prescription for Dietary Wellness, 1993, USA) wherein importance of phytochemicals, protease inhibitors from legumes against tumor growth and ability to block natural carcinogens from forming tumors have been mentioned. Whole grains, germinated seeds, legumes and herbs are basically powerful foods. Reference is made to books by Guha Bakshi D N, Sensarma P & Pal D C (A Lexicon of Medicinal Plants in India, Naya Prokash, 1999, Calcutta, India); Chopra R N, Nayar S L, & Chopra I C (Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, NISCOM, CSIR, New Delhi, India 1999); Anonymous (Wealth of India, Raw Materials, CSIR, New Delhi, India) and a chapter Seed Proteins by Prakash D (Current Concepts in Seed Biology K G Mukeiji et al. Eds 1993); published research articles by Misra P S, Prakash D, Pandey R M & Pal M, Fitoterapia 56: 318-320, 1985; Prakash D, Narayan P & Misra P S, Plant Foods Hum. Nutr. 36: 341-344, 1987; Prakash D & Pal M, J. Sci. Food Agric. 58: 145-147, 1992; Prakash D, Joshi B D & Pal M, Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 46: 47-51, 1995; Prakash D, Niranjan A & Tewari S K Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 52: 79-82, 2001) wherein the significant nutritional composition, traditional medicinal and pharmaceutical uses of soybean (Glycine max), chick-pea (Cicer arietinum), black-gram/‘Urd’ (Phaseolus mungo), ‘Guar’ (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), ‘Kewanch’ (Mucuna pruriens), barley (Hordeum vulgare), amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculantus) have been described. Their seeds are being used as edible foods in the form of different kind of preparations without fortification with herbs/medicinal plants. Reference is made to books by Chaudhri R D (Herbal Drugs Industry, Eastern Publishers, 1996, New Delhi); Guha Bakshi D N, Sensarma P & Pal D C (A Lexicon of Medicinal Plants in India, Naya Prokash, 1999, Calcutta, India); Chopra R N, Nayar S L, & Chopra I C (Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, NISCOM, CSTR, New Delhi, India 1999); Kapoor L D (Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants, CRC Press, Florida, 1990); Sharma P V (Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol II, 1992, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi); Balch P A & Balch J F (Rx Prescription for Dietary Wellness, 1993, USA) and Anonymous (Wealth of India, Raw Materials, CSIR, New Delhi, India) wherein the traditional and modern medicinal uses of the herbs/medicinal plants like Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia, Syzgium cumini, Pterocarpus marsupium, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Cinnamomum tamala, Withania somnifera, Coccinia indica, Pueraria tuberosa, Asparagus racemosus, Boerhaavia diffusa, Aegle marmelos, Piper longum, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Curcuma longa and Elettaria cardamomum have been mentioned. These herbs/medicinal plants are being used for the preparation of different kind of medicines alone or in different combinations/formulations.

A number of patents have been granted on nutraceuticals, which comprises either a single or a mixture of several phytonutrients in various concentrations. In some cases, the products were even fortified with synthetic ingredients also. Reference is made to patents (Patent No. AU2557899; WO9935917) wherein methods of infusing phytochemicals, nutraceuticals and other compositions into food products e.g. juices, fruits, vegetables and meats, etc through osmotic dehydration are described. The methods are tedious including the use of some chemicals during the preparation. Reference is made to patents (Patent No. AU4777100; WO0064282) wherein nutraceuticals and ingredients for functional foods are prepared by co-spray drying using fructans, fructooligosaccharides instead of maltodextrins as a drying agent and ingredients such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, resveratrol. The main emphasis has been limited to phenolic phytochemicals and products are in the form of a gel or cream, showing fat like texture, which can only be used as spreader. Reference is made to patents (Patent No. AU4038800; WO0057726) wherein nutraceuticals comprising a blend of N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-alpha-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester (neotame) with another sweetener has been mentioned. The compounds used are synthetic and have limited importance only as sweetener or flavor modifier in nutraceuticals. Neotame is a synthetic variation of aspartame and poses potential major health problems like incidents of grand mal seizures, brain tumors and environmental hazards. Reference is made to patents (Patent No. U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,353; AU3696599; WO9959421) wherein esterified and subsequently hydrogenated phytosterol composition for use alone or for incorporation into foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals have been described. The isolated phytosterols from plants have been modified by chemical process of esterification for the physical characteristics. Reference is made to patent (Patent No. U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,867) wherein a nutraceutical composition comprising water insoluble or water soluble antler powder or a combination and method of producing the same has been described. The products are non-ecofriendly of animal origin with limited nutraceutical importance. Reference is made to patent (Patent No. U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,403) wherein sugar imbalance and diabetes treating herbal formulation in lectin prepared from Chinese herbs has been described. The formulation has been reported to lower the blood glucose and insulin levels but without nutraceutical benefits in NIDDM.

The use of plant extracts and derivatives of plants for healing and prevention purposes has been described extensively in traditional and folk medicine literature. Over the centuries, plants have served as a major source of medicines for treating and prevention of diseases of mankind. Although recently the ability for synthesis and design of new medicines has provided new pathways for the development of therapeutic drugs, however, phytomedicines derived from plants still hold strong position. Indigenous foods in the treatment of diabetes mellitus have been described by G Subbulakshmi & Mridula Naik (SNDT Women's University, Mumbai, Internet). For centuries, specific plants, their extracts or mixtures thereof have been used for treatment of illnesses in Indian system of medicine and many of them have been documented as having clinical effectiveness in treating illnesses. The plants like Alfalfa, Aloe vera, Burdock, Celery, Comsilk, Damiana, Elecampane, Eucalyptus, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger, Ginseng, Panax, Juniper, Marshmallow, Myrrh, Nettle, Sage, Tansy have been reported as hypoglycemic herbal ingredients (Internet). Commercial products with branded names such as Pancreas Formula, Eleotin, Ayubes, Diabetes Hypoglucose Capsules, Pearl Hypoglycemic Capsules, Tongyitang Diabetes Angle Hypoglycemic Capsules, Zhen Qi Capsules are available in internationational market on internet. In India commercial products available in market are Cogent-db, Diabyog Capsules, Diabyog Granules, Diabecon, Madhu Mehari Granules, Madhu Sunya and Madhumeh Amrit etc. Most of the products (a list given in Table 1) are a mixture of herbs/medicinal plants, minerals, and bhasams (ashes) without a suitable balanced nutritional composition to ameliorate the general health of diabetics and none of them is a nutraceutical. Nutraceuticals with different branded names are commercially available in international (Internet) and Indian market. Besides the natural ingredients majority of the products also contains some synthetic ingredients and recommended as food supplement for nutrition only. While, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of nutraceuticals with specific combination of edible legumes, cereals, pseudocereals for natural nutrients and herbs/medicinal plants with significant medicinal values to provide optimum balanced nutrition and general health protective, promotive and disease preventive benefits to the diabetics. To the best of the Applicant's knowledge no nutraceutical comprising a combination of legumes, cereals, pseudocereals fortified with herbs/medicinal plants used in the present invention or a process for the preparation of the same exist for diabetic patients.

A literature survey and internet screening revealed that nutraceuticals comprising a proper combination of natural edible seeds, herbs and medicinal plants has not yet been prepared to provide adequate nutrition and health protective benefits to the diabetics.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention relates to the custom made tailored nutraceutical functional food composition(s), in a proper combination of natural edible seeds, herbs/ medicinal plants to provide optimum nutrition, health protective, promotive and disease preventive benefits for diabetic patients.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an herbal health protective nutraceutical formulation, which obviates the drawbacks as detailed above.

Yet another object of the present invention is to formulate a combination of edible legumes, cereals, pseudocereals with promising potential for the development of base material to provide essential natural nutrients.

Still another object of the present invention is to develop health protective and disease preventive nutraceutical formulation, to ameliorate the general health of diabetics, as food supplements with specific functional attributes by fortifying nutritional base material with herbs/medicinal plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the custom-made nutraceutical functional food composition(s), in a proper combination of natural edible seeds, herbs/medicinal plants to provide optimum nutrition, health protective, preventive and promotive benefits to ameliorate the general health of diabetics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a herbal health protective, promotive and disease preventive nutraceutical composition(s) useful as food supplement to ameliorate the general health of people having diabetics with optimum nutrients and also help to control the blood sugar level, wherein the said formulation(s) comprising seed products selected from the group consisting of legumes, cereals and pseudocereals ranging from 50-90% by wt. and herbs/medicinal plants product ranging between 10-50% by wt.

Also, the present invention provide composition(s) used as herbal health protective, promotive nutraceutical formulation(s) for diabetics, said composition(s) comprising roasted seed powders, herbs/medicinal plants extract Piper longum (Pippali) fruits powder, Curcuma longa (Haldi) rhizomes powder, Chlorophytum tuberosum (Safed Musli) rhizomes powder and Elettaria cardamomum fruits powder.

The present invention also provide a process for the preparation of herbal health protective, promotive and disease preventive nutraceutical composition(s) useful as food supplement to ameliorate the general health of diabetics with optimum nutrients and also helps to control the blood sugar.

The process comprises the selected seeds of Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba, Phaseolus radiatus, Mucuna pruriens, Hordeum vulgare, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Fagopyrum esculantum may be roasted by keeping in microwave oven (BPL-Sanyo, model BMO 800TS, frequency 2450 MHz) from 2 to 15 minutes, the roasted seeds 9 in numbers may be powdered separately to pass through a sieve ranging from 50 to 400 mesh, the seed powders may be mixed ranging from 0 to 90% by weight to get the base product(s), in a mixer grinder ranging from 5 to 60 minutes and may be called as base product(s), the roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood and whole plant of natural authentic herbs/medicinal plants may be selected from the group of Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia, Syzgium cumini, Pterocarpus marsupium, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Cinnamomum tamala, Withania somnifera, Coccinia indica, Pueraria tuberosa, Asparagus racemosus, Boerhaavia diffusa, Aegle marmelos, Piper longum, Curcuma longa, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Elettaria cardamomum, may be cut into small pieces 1 to 15 cm, dried under shade at the temperature ranging from 20 to 50° C. and powdered ranging from 10 to 400 mesh, the powdered herbs/medicinal plants may be mixed ranging from 0 to 40% by wt. of the total mixture and may be extracted with aqueous alcohol in the range of 5 to 95% v/v thrice for 5 to 48 hours, at temperature ranging from 20 to 50° C., the alcohol may be selected from methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol and butanol, the said solvent from combined extracts may be removed under reduced pressure ranging from 10 to 150 PSI at temperature ranging from 20 to 80° C. and the viscous residue thus obtained is called as plants extract, the residue may be suspended in ethanol-water mixture from 0 to 90% v/v in the ratio ranging from 10 to 30% by stirring for 5 to 60 minutes, the suspension of plants extract or plants powder may be mixed with roasted seeds powder mixture in the ratio ranging from 10 to 50% by wt., the mixture of plants extract or plants powder and roasted seed powders are mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of ranging from 5 to 60 minutes, the mixture may be dried for a period of ranging from 5 to 50 hours at temperature ranging from 20 to 500 C, the amount of optional additives used may be in the range piper longum fruits powder 0.5 to 4% by wt, Curcuma longa rhizomes powder 0 to 4% by wt, Chlorophytum tuberosum rhizomes powder 0 to 4% by wt and Elettaria cardamomum fruits powder 0 to 4% by wt, the dried plants extract or plants powder and seeds powder mixture is again mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of ranging from 5 to 60 minutes and the powder thus obtained is used to prepare final nutraceutical(s), the end product(s) is suitable for use in the form of powder, granules, biscuits, suspension, tablets or capsules etc for diabetics. It was observed that the seeds selected from the group of Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba and Hordeum vulgare are essential, Phaseolus radiatus, Mucuna pruriens, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Fagopyrum esculantum are optional. Among the herbs/medicinal plants selected from the group of Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia, Syzgium cumini, Pterocarpus marsupium, Trigonella foenum-graecum and Cinnamomum tamala, are essential from the group comprising Withania somnifera, Coccinia indica, Pueraria tuberosa, Asparagus racemosus, Boerhaavia diffusa and Aegle marmelos are optional and selected from Piper longum, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Curcuma longa and Elettaria cardamomum are additional components of the value addition. The combination of the present nutraceutical(s) is not a mere admixture of the ingredients used resulting in aggregation of their properties but a mixture having synergistically enhanced properties useful as food supplement as health protective, promotive and disease preventive nutraceutical composition(s) to ameliorate the general health of diabetics with optimum nutrients and also help to control the blood sugar level.

In an embodiment of the invention to provide a herbal health protective, promotive and disease preventive nutraceutical herbal formulation(s) for diabetics and a process for preparing the same, wherein the said formulation(s) comprising seed products selected from the group consisting of legumes, cereals and pseudocereals ranging from 50-90% by wt. and herbs/medicinal plants product(s) ranging between 10-50% by wt.

In another embodiment of the invention, the seed products are selected from dried seeds, roasted seeds and powdered seeds.

In another embodiment of the invention, the legumes used is/are selected from the essential group comprising Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo and Cyamompsis tetragonoloba and optionally selected from the group comprising, Phaseolus radiatus and Mucuna pruriens.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the total amount of legumes used is in the range from 30-80% by wt.

In another embodiment of the invention, the essential cereal used is Hordeum vulgare.

Yet another embodiment of the invention, the total amount of cereals used is in the range from 5-40% by wt.

In another embodiment of the invention, the pseudocereals used is/are selected from Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Fagopyrum esculantum.

Yet another embodiment of the invention, the total amount of pseudocereal used is in the range from 10-30% by wt.

Yet another embodiment of the invention, the essential herbs/medicinal plants used are selected from the group of Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia, Syzgium cumini, Pterocarpus marsupium, Trigonellafoenum-graecum and Cinnamomum tamala.

Yet another embodiment of the invention, the optional herbs/medicinal plants used are selected from the group comprising Withania somnifera, Coccinia indica, Pueraria tuberosa, Asparagus racemosus, Boerhaavia diffusa and Aegle marmelos.

Yet another embodiment of the invention, the said herbs/medicinal plant parts used are selected from roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood and whole plants.

Yet another embodiment of the invention, the total amount of herbs/medicinal plants used is X, wherein, X is in the range between 10 to 50% by wt of formulation(s).

Yet another embodiment of the invention, relates to the amount of the essential herbs/medicinal plants used are in the range between Gymnema sylvestre X (2-40% by wt.), Momordica charantia X (2-40% by wt.), Syzgium cumini X (2-40% by wt.), Pterocarpus marsupium X (2-40% by wt.), Trigonella foenum-graecum X (2-40% by wt.) and Cinnamomum tamala X (2-40% by wt.).

Yet another embodiment of the invention, the amount of the optional herbs/medicinal plants used are in the range between Withania somnifera X (0-20% by wt.), Coccinia indica X (0-20% by wt.), Pueraria tuberosa X (0-20% by wt.), Asparagus racemosus X (0-20% by wt.), Boerhaavia diffusa X (0-20% by wt.) and Aegle marmelos X (0-20% by wt.).

Yet another embodiment of the invention, the said herbal formulation optionally contain acceptable amounts of further additives selected from Piper longum, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Curcuma longa and Elettaria cardamomum.

One more embodiment of the invention relates to a herbal health protective, promotive and disease preventive nutraceutical(s) composition for diabetics, wherein the said formulation(s) consisting of seed powders mixture ranging from 50 to 90% by wt., herbs/medicinal plants powder or their extract ranging from 10 to 50% by wt. and the composition further comprising Piper longum fruits powder ranging from 0.5 to 4% by wt., Curcuma longa rhizomes powder ranging from 0 to 4% by wt., Chlorophytum tuberosum rhizomes powder ranging from 0 to 4% by wt. and Elettaria cardamomum fruits powder ranging from 0 to 4% by wt.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the amount of legumes present in the composition(s) is in the range between 30-80% by wt., cereals in the range between 5-40% by wt. and psuedocereals in the range between 10-30% by wt. of the total seed powders mixture.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the end-product(s) is suitable for use in the form of powder, granules, suspension, biscuits, tablets or capsules etc.

One more embodiment of the invention, relates to a process for the preparation of herbal health protective, promotive and preventive nutraceutical composition(s) useful as food supplements to ameliorate the general health of diabetics with optimum nutrients and also help to control the blood sugar level and disease related problems, the said process comprising:

-   -   a. selecting seed products from the group of Glycine max, Cicer         arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, P. radiatus, Cyamopsis         tetragonoloba, Mucuna pruriens, Hordeum vulgare, Amaranthus         hypochondriacus, Fagopyrum esculantum and     -   b. roasting the seeds for 2 to 15 minutes under microwave         conditions having frequency 1500-2500 MHz, powdering the roasted         seeds to a mesh size of 50-400 and mixing the seed powders,     -   c. obtaining powder or extract of herbs/medicinal plants from         the group of Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia, Syzgium         cumini, Pterocarpus marsupium, Trigonella foenum-graecum,         Cinnamomum tamala, Withania somnifera, Coccinia indica, Pueraria         tuberosa, Asparagus racemosus, Boerhaavia diffusa and Aegle         marmelos,     -   d. and drying the extract to obtain a residue, mixing the plants         extract residue with the base product to get the final         nutraceutical product(s)     -   e. and optionally adding some additives selected from piper         longum, Curcuma longa, Chlorophytum tuberosum and Elettaria         cardamomum (Elaichi) fruits powder to obtain end nutraceutical         product(s).

In another embodiment of the invention, the roasted seeds are powdered separately to pass through sieves having mesh size ranging from 50 to 400.

In another embodiment of the invention, the amount of roasted seed powders are mixed in various proportions ranging up to 40% by weight and parts of plants used are selected from roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood and whole plant of herbs/medicinal plants ranging up to 40% by wt. are selected for use in the nutraceutical product(s).

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the herbs/medicinal plants are cut into small pieces ranging from 1 to 15 cm, dried under shade at the temperature ranging from 20 to 500 C and powdered ranging from 10 to 400 mesh.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the crushed and powdered herbs/medicinal plants are mixed up to 40% by wt. of the total mixture.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the powdered herbs/medicinal plants mixture is extracted with aqueous alcohol in the range of 5 to 95% v/v thrice for 5 to 48 hours, at temperature ranging from 20 to 50° C.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the alcohol is selected from methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol and butanol.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the said solvent from combined extractives is removed under reduced pressure ranging from 10 to 150 PSI at temperature ranging from 20 to 80° C. and the viscous residue thus obtained is called as plants extract.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the plants extract is suspended in ethanol-water mixture from 0 to 90% v/v in the ratio ranging from 10 to 30% by stirring for 5 to 60 minutes.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the suspension of plants extract or plants powder is mixed with roasted seed powders mixture in the ratio ranging up to 50% by wt.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the mixture of plants extract or plants powder and roasted seed powders are mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of ranging from 5 to 60 minutes.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the mixture is dried for a period of ranging from 5 to 50 hours at temperature ranging from 20 to 50° C.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the amount of optional additives used are in the range Piper longum fruits powder 0.5 to 4% by wt, Curcuma longa rhizomes powder 0 to 4% by wt, Chlorophytum tuberosum rhizomes powder 0 to 4% by wt and Elettaria cardamomum fruits powder 0 to 4% by wt.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the dried plants extract or plants powder and seed powders mixture is again mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of ranging from 5 to 60 minutes and the powder thus obtained is used to prepare final nutraceutical(s).

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the said dried plants extract or plants powder and seed powders mixture is mixed with in the ratio ranging up to 90% by wt.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, said mixture containing dried and powdered mixture of plants extract or powders thereof, roasted seed powders and Piper longum fruits powder up to 4% by wt is added to the said mixture.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, Curcuma longa rhizomes powder up to 4% by wt is added to the said mixture.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, to the said mixture up to 4% by wt. Elettaria cardamomum seeds powder is added.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, powdered, mixture of plants extract or plants powder, roasted seed powders, Piper longum fruits powder, Curcuma longa rhizomes powder, Chlorophytum tuberosum rhizomes powder and Elettaria cardamomum fruits powder mixture is mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of ranging from 5 to 60 minutes to get the final nutraceutical product(s).

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the nutraceutical formulations, as herein described for the composition, methodology, preparation of base material for nutrition and fortified with selected herbs/medicinal plants in the form of powders/extracts to get the value added end nutraceutical product(s) which may be used as health protective, promotive, food supplements to ameliorate the general health of the diabetics and to control hyperglycemia in the form of powder, granules, biscuits, suspension, tablets or capsules etc.

Novelty:

The novelty of present invention is the specific combination of legumes, cereals, pseudocereals fortified with herbs/medicinal plants and the process for the preparation of nutraceuticals. The nutraceuticals are with optimum nutrition, non toxic, natural herbal plant products, easy to digest, have health protective and promotive properties to ameliorate the health and vigor of diabetics.

Besides controlling the blood/urine sugar level the nutraceutical product(s) provide additional benefits in diabetese related human health problems like reduction in fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, numbing effect, frequent urination, unusual thirst and hunger, weight loss, swellings on legs/ankles, burning sensation on feet, palms, relief in skin itching, skin dryness, black patches on skin, hypertension, increase in sleep comfort, energetic feeling, improvement in laziness, blurred vision, frequent skin infections and slow healing of wounds and sores. A 10-30% reduction in insulin doses was also observed after 6-8 weeks in IDDM adult diabetics and 30 to 100% reduction of oral medicines in NIDDM adult diabetics was found.

The present invention provides a process, without deteriorating the nutritional and pharmaceutical properties of the basic ingredients, for the preparation of custom-made herbal health protective nutraceutical(s) suitable as a nutraceutical food supplement for diabetics.

The present invention provides formulation(s) for the combination of edible legumes, cereals, pseudocereals with promising potential for the development of well balanced nutritional base material.

The present invention provides value added products with synergistic health promotive, protective and disease preventive effects of natural herbs/medicinal plants to get specifically designed nutraceutical(s) for well balanced natural nutrients, to get optimum nutrition to ameliorate the general health of diabetics.

Brief Description of the Accompanying Tables

Table 1 provides the composition of the Nutraceutical formulation of the present invention and other commercial herbal antidiabetic products

Tables 2 provides the percentage seed powders (legumes, cereals and pseudocereals) in the composition of the present invention.

Table 3 provides the percentage of herbs/medicinal plants in the composition of the present invention.

Table 4 provides the trial feed back remarks from volunteers on the nutraceutical product of the present invention.

Table 5 provides the trial feed back from volunteers after consuming the Herbal health protective and promotive Nutraceutical for diabetics for 3 months.

The invention is described with reference to the examples, which are provided by way of illustration only, and these examples should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Specific Combinations

To prepare nutraceutical formulation the seeds of Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Mucuna pruriens, Hordeum vulgare, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Fagopyrum esculantum were roasted by keeping in microwave oven for 2 minutes separately. The microwave roasted seeds were powdered separately to pass through a 50-mesh sieve. The seed powders and herbs/medicinal plants extract were mixed as given in example 1.

Example 1

The microwave roasted seed powders of Glycine max 50 g, Cicer arietinum 100 g, Phaseolus mungo 50 g, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba 50 g, Mucuna pruriens 50 g, Hordeum vulgare 400 g, Amaranthus hypochondriacus 10 g and Fagopyrum esculantum 200 g were mixed for 20 minutes in a mixer grinder. The roots, fruits, bark, whole plant of natural authentic herbs/medicinal plants collected from different natural sources in India were cut into small pieces of about 1 cm, dried under shade at 20° C., crushed and powdered to 10-mesh. The dried powder of Gymnema sylvestre 20 g, Momordica charantia 50 g, Syzgium cumini 80 g, Pterocarpus marsupium 50 g, Trigonella foenum-graecum 100 g and Cinnamomum tamala 400 g, Withania somnifera 20 g, Coccinia indica 50 g, Pueraria tuberosa 200 g and Boerhaavia diffusa 30 g were extracted with 1.5 lit of aqueous alcohol 5% v/v thrice for 5 hours, at temperature 20° C., the solvent from combined extractives was removed under reduced pressure at 10 PSI, at temperature of 20° C. and the viscous residue thus obtained was called as the plants extract. The 10 g of plants extract was suspended in 20 ml water and mixed with mixer grinder for a period of 5 minutes, the suspension of plants extract was mixed with the 89.5 g mixture of roasted seed powders and mixed thoroughly for a period of 5 minutes. The plants extract and seed powders mixture was dried for 5 hours at 20° C. under vacuum, the dried plants extract and seed powders mixture was again mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for 5 minutes. The powder thus obtained was used to prepare final nutraceutical. The dried plants extract and seed powders mixture was mixed with the optional additives of Piper longum fruit powder 0.5 g and the total mixture was mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for 5 minutes to get the final nutraceutical product. The end product is suitable for use in the form of powder, granules, biscuits, suspension, tablets or capsules etc for diabetics.

Tables 2 provides the percentage seed powders (legumes, cereals and pseudocereals) in the composition of the present invention.

Table 3 provides the percentage of herbs/medicinal plants in the composition of the present invention.

The combination of the present nutraceutical is a mixture having synergistic (Table 4) health protective and promotive properties useful as food supplement to ameliorate the general health of diabetics with optimum nutrients and also help to control the blood sugar level (Table 5).

To prepare nutraceutical formulation the seeds of Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba, Mucuna pruriens, Hordeum vulgare, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Fagopyrum esculantum were roasted by keeping in microwave oven for 12 minutes separately. The microwave-roasted seeds were powdered separately to pass through a 350-mesh sieve. The seed powders and herbs/medicinal plants extract were mixed as given in example 2.

Example 2

The microwave roasted seed powders of Glycine max 150 g, Cicer arietinum 10 g, Phaseolus mungo 50 g, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 100 g, Mucuna pruriens 50 g, Hordeum vulgare 350 g, Amaranthus hypochondriacus 100 g and Fagopyrum esculantum 100 g were mixed in a mixer grinder for 55 minutes to get the base product. The roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood and whole plant of natural authentic herbs herbs/medicinal plants collected from different natural sources in India were cut into small pieces of about 12 cm, dried at 45° C., crushed and powdered to 350-mesh. The dried powder of Gymnema sylvestre 400 g, Momordica charantia 50 g, Syzgium cumini 20 g, Pterocarpus marsupium 100 g, Trigonella foenum-graecum 80 g, Cinnamomum tamala 50 g, Withania somnifera 30 g, Asparagus racemosus 200 g, Boerhaavia difussa 20 g and Aegle marmelos 50 g were extracted with 1.75 lit ml aqueous alcohol 80% v/v thrice for 42 hours, at 45° C., the solvent from combined extractives was removed under reduced pressure at 125 PSI at temperature 70° C. and the viscous residue thus obtained is called as plants extract. The 20 g plants extract was suspended in 60 ml of 80% water-ethanol mixture by stirring for 50 minutes, the suspension of plants extract was mixed with 75 g of roasted seeds powder mixture and mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 55 minutes. The mixture was dried for a period of 45 hours at temperature 50° C. The powder thus obtained was used to prepare final nutraceutical. The dried plants extract and seed powders mixture was mixed with the optional additives of Piper longum fruits powder 1.0 g, Curcuma longa rhizomes powder 1.5 g, Chlorophytum tuberosum rhizomes powder 2.0 g and Elettaria cardamomum fruits powder 0.5 g the total mixture was again mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 55 minutes to get the final nutraceutical. The end product is suitable for use in the form of powder, granules, biscuits, suspension, tablets or capsules etc for diabetics.

The combination of the present nutraceutical is a mixture having synergistic (Table 4) health protective and promotive properties useful as food supplement to ameliorate the general health of diabetics with optimum nutrients and also help to control the blood sugar (Table 5).

To prepare nutraceutical formulation the seeds of Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba, Mucuna pruriens, Hordeum vulgare, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Fagopyrum esculantum were roasted by keeping in microwave oven for 10 minutes separately. The microwave roasted seeds were powdered separately to pass through a 300-mesh sieve. The seed powders and herbs/medicinal plants extract were mixed as given in example 3.

Example 3

The microwave roasted seeds, were powdered of Glycine max 150 g, Cicer arietinum 150 g, Phaseolus mungo 100 g, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 50 g, Mucuna pruriens 50 g, Hordeum vulgare 300 g, Amaranthus hypochondriacus 150 g and Fagopyrum esculantum 50 g were mixed in a mixer grinder for 50 minutes to get the base product. The roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood and whole plant of natural authentic herbs herbs/medicinal plants collected from different natural sources in India were cut into small pieces of about 10 cm, dried at 40° C., crushed and powdered to 300-mesh. The dried powder of Gymnema sylvestre 20 g, Momordica charantia 80 g, Syzgium cumini 1 00 g, Pterocarpus marsupium 150 g, Trigonella foenum-graecum 150 g, Cinnamomum tamala 200 g, Withania somnifera 50 g, Coccinia indica 200 g, Pueraria tuberosa 30 g and Asparagus racemosus 20 g were extracted with 1.7 ml aqueous alcohol 70% v/v thrice for 40 hours, at 40° C., the solvent from combined extractives was removed under reduced pressure at 100 PSI at temperature 60° C. and the viscous residue thus obtained is called as plants extract. The 25 g plants extract was suspended in 75 ml of 70% water-ethanol mixture by stirring for 45 minutes, the suspension of plants extract was mixed with 70 g of roasted seeds powder mixture and mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 50 minutes. The mixture was dried for a period of 40 hours at temperature 45° C. The powder thus obtained was used to prepare final nutraceutical. The dried plants extract and seed powders mixture was mixed with the optional additives of Piper longum fruits powder 1.0 g and Elettaria cardamomum fruits powder 4.0 g, and the total mixture was again mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 45 minutes to get the final nutraceutical. The end product is suitable for use in the form of powder, granules, biscuits, suspension, tablets or capsules etc for diabetics.

The combination of the present nutraceuticals is a mixture having synergistic (Table 4) health protective and promotive properties useful as food supplement to ameliorate the general health of diabetics with optimum nutrients and also help to control the blood sugar (Table 5).

To prepare nutraceutical formulation the seeds of Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba, Phaseolus raditus, Hordeum vulgare, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Fagopyrum esculantum were roasted by keeping in microwave oven for 8 minutes separately. The microwave roasted seeds were powdered separately to pass through a 250-mesh sieve. The seed powders and herbs/medicinal plants extract were mixed as given in example 4.

Example 4

The microwave roasted seeds, were powdered of Glycine max 200 g, Cicer arietinum 150 g, Phaseolus mungo 100 g, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 50 g, Phaseolus raditus 50 g, Hordeum vulgare 250 g, Amaranthus hypochondriacus 150 g and Fagopyrum esculantum 50 g were mixed in a mixer grinder for 45 minutes to get the base product. The roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood and whole plant of natural authentic herbs herbs/medicinal plants collected from different natural sources in India were cut into small pieces of about 8.0 cm, dried at 35° C. , crushed and powdered to 200-mesh. The dried powder of Gymnema sylvestre 100 g, Momordica charantia 20 g, Syzgium cumini 80 g, Pterocarpus marsupium 150 g, Trigonella foenum-graecum 200 g, Cinnamomum tamala 150 g, Withania somnifera 200 g, Coccinia indica 20 g, Pueraria tuberosa 50 g and Asparagus racemosus 30 g were extracted with 1.6 lit aqueous alcohol 60% v/v thrice for 35 hours, at 38° C., the solvent from combined extractives was removed under reduced pressure at 90 PSI at temperature 55° C. and the viscous residue thus obtained is called as plants extract. The 30 g plants extract was suspended in 90 ml of 60% water-ethanol mixture by stirring for 40 minutes, the suspension of plants extract was mixed with 65 g of roasted seeds powder mixture and mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 45 minutes. The mixture was dried for a period of 35 hours at temperature 40° C. The powder thus obtained was used to prepare final nutraceutical. The dried plants extract and seed powders mixture was mixed with the optional additives of Piper longum fruits powder 1.0 g and Chlorophytum tuberosum rhizomes powder 4.0 g, the total mixture was again mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 40 minutes to get the final nutraceutical. The end product is suitable for use in the form of powder, granules, biscuits, suspension, tablets or capsules etc for diabetics.

The combination of the present nutraceuticals is a mixture having synergistic (Table 4) health protective and promotive properties useful as food supplement to ameliorate the general health of diabetics with optimum nutrients and also help to control the blood sugar (Table 5).

To prepare nutraceutical formulation the seeds of Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba, Phaseolus raditus, Mucuna pruriens, Hordeum vulgare, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Fagopyrum esculantum were roasted by keeping in microwave oven for 6 minutes separately. The microwave roasted seeds were powdered separately to pass through a 200-mesh sieve. The seed powders and herbs/medicinal plants extract were mixed as given in example 5.

Example 5

The microwave roasted seeds, were powdered of Glycine max 200 g, Cicer arietinum 100 g, Phaseolus mungo 50 g, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 50 g, Phaseolus raditus 100 g, Mucuna pruriens 100 g, Hordeum vulgare 150 g, Amaranthus hypochondriacus 200 g and Fagopyrum esculantum 50 g were mixed in a mixer grinder for 40 minutes to get the base product. The roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood and whole plant of natural authentic herbs herbs/medicinal plants collected from different natural sources in India were cut into small pieces of about 6.0 cm , dried at 30° C., crushed and powdered to 150-mesh. The dried powder of Gymnema sylvestre 50 g, Momordica charantia 50 g, Syzgium cumini 20 g, Pterocarpus marsupium 80 g, Trigonella foenum-graecum 400 g, Cinnamomum tamala 100 g, Coccinia indica 30 g, Asparagus racemosus 30 g, Boerhaavia difussa 200 g and Aegle marmelos 20 g were extracted with 1.5 lit aqueous alcohol 50% v/v thrice for 30 hours, at 35° C., the solvent from combined extractives was removed under reduced pressure at 80 PSI at temperature 50° C. and the viscous residue thus obtained is called as plants extract. The 35 g plants extract was suspended in 130 ml of 50% water-ethanol mixture by stirring for 35 minutes, the suspension of plants extract was mixed with 60 g of roasted seeds powder mixture and mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 40 minutes. The mixture was dried for a period of 30 hours at temperature 40° C. The powder thus obtained was used to prepare final nutraceutical. The dried plants extract and seed powders mixture was mixed with the optional additives of Piper longum fruits powder 4.0 g and Curcuma longa rhizomes powder 1.0 g, the total mixture was again mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 35 minutes to get the final nutraceutical. The end product is suitable for use in the form of powder, granules, biscuits, suspension, tablets or capsules etc for diabetics.

The combination of the present nutraceuticals is a mixture having synergistic (Table 4) health protective and promotive properties useful as food supplement to ameliorate the general health of diabetics with optimum nutrients and also help to control the blood sugar (Table 5).

To prepare nutraceutical formulation the seeds of Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba, Phaseolus raditus, Hordeum vulgare and Amaranthus hypochondriacus were roasted by keeping in microwave oven for 5 minutes separately. The microwave roasted seeds were powdered separately to pass through a 150-mesh sieve. The seed powders and herbs/medicinal plants extract were mixed as given in example 6.

Example 6

The microwave roasted seeds, were powdered of Glycine max 100 g, Cicer arietinum 400 g, Phaseolus mungo 30 g, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 20 g, Phaseolus raditus 150 g, Hordeum vulgare 150 g and Amaranthus hypochondriacus 100 g were mixed in a mixer grinder for 30 minutes to get the base product. The roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood and whole plant of natural authentic herbs herbs/medicinal plants collected from different natural sources in India were cut into small pieces of about 5.0 cm, dried at 30° C. , crushed and powdered to 100-mesh. The dried powder of Gymnema sylvestre 80 g, Momordica charantia 100 g, Syzgium cumini 50 g, Pterocarpus marsupium 400 g, Trigonella foenum-graecum 50 g, Cinnamomum tamala 20 g, Withania somnifera 10 g, Coccinia indica 20 g, Pueraria tuberosa 20 g, Boerhaavia difussa 50 g and Aegle marmelos 200 g were extracted with 1.25 lit aqueous alcohol 40% v/v thrice for 25 hours, at 30° C., the solvent from combined extractives was removed under reduced pressure at 70 PSI at temperature 45° C. and the viscous residue thus obtained is called as plants extract. The 40 g plants extract was suspended in 160 ml of 50% water-ethanol mixture by stirring for 35 minutes, the suspension of plants extract was mixed with 55 g of roasted seeds powder mixture and mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 35 minutes. The mixture was dried for a period of 25 hours at temperature 35° C. The powder thus obtained was used to prepare final nutraceutical. The dried plants extract and seed powders mixture was mixed with the optional additives of Piper longum fruits powder 3.0 g, Chlorophytum tuberosum rhizomes powder 1.5 g and Elettaria cardamomum fruits powder 0.5 g, and the total mixture was again mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 30 minutes to get the final nutraceutical. The end product is suitable for use in the form of powder, granules, biscuits, suspension, tablets or capsules etc for diabetics.

The combination of the present nutraceuticals is a mixture having synergistic (Table 4) health protective and promotive properties useful as food supplement to ameliorate the general health of diabetics with optimum nutrients and also help to control the blood sugar (Table 5).

To prepare nutraceutical formulation the seeds of Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba, Hordeum vulgare and Fagopyrum esculantum were roasted by keeping in microwave oven for 5 minutes separately. The microwave roasted seeds were powdered separately to pass through a 150-mesh sieve. The seed powders and herbs/medicinal plants extract were mixed as given in example 7.

Example 7

The microwave roasted seeds, were powdered of Glycine max 250 g, Cicer arietinum 200 g, Phaseolus mungo 150 g, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 150 g, Hordeum vulgare 100 g and Fagopyrum esculantum 200 g were mixed in a mixer grinder for 20 minutes to get the base product. The roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood and whole plant of natural authentic herbs herbs/medicinal plants collected from different natural sources in India were cut into small pieces of about 3.0 cm, dried at 25° C., crushed and powdered to 60-mesh. The dried powder of Gymnema sylvestre 100 g, Momordica charantia 50 g, Syzgium cumini 400 g, Pterocarpus marsupium 20 g, Trigonella foenum-graecum 80 g, Cinnamomum tamala 50 g, Withania somnifera 100 g, Coccinia indica 100 g and Boerhaavia difussa 100 g were extracted with 1.2 lit aqueous alcohol 30% v/v thrice for 20 hours, at 30° C., the solvent from combined extractives was removed under reduced pressure at 60 PSI at temperature 40° C. and the viscous residue thus obtained is called as plants extract. The 45 g plants extract was suspended in 230 ml of 40% water-ethanol mixture by stirring for 25 minutes, the suspension of plants extract was mixed with 50 g of roasted seeds powder mixture and mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 30 minutes. The mixture was dried for a period of 20 hours at temperature 30° C. The powder thus obtained was used to prepare final nutraceuticals. The dried plants extract and seed powders mixture was mixed with the optional additives of Piper longum fruits powder 1.0 g and Curcuma longa rhizomes powder 4.0 g and the total mixture was again mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 20 minutes to get the final nutraceutical. The end product is suitable for use in the form of powder, granules, biscuits, suspension, tablets or capsules etc for diabetics.

The combination of the present nutraceuticals is a mixture having synergistic (Table 4) health protective and promotive properties useful as food supplement to ameliorate the general health of diabetics with optimum nutrients and also help to control the blood sugar (Table 5).

To prepare nutraceutical formulation the seeds of Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba, Hordeum vulgare, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Fagopyrum esculantum were roasted by keeping in microwave oven for 15 minutes separately. The microwave roasted seeds were powdered separately to pass through a 400-mesh sieve. The seed powders and herbs/medicinal plants extract were mixed as given in example 8.

Example 8

The microwave roasted seeds, were powdered of Glycine max 300 g, Cicer arietinum 100 g, Phaseolus mungo 200 g, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 200 g, Hordeum vulgare 50 g, Amaranthus hypochondriacus 50 g and Fagopyrum esculantum 150 g were mixed in a mixer grinder for 60 minutes to get the base product. The roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood and whole plant of natural authentic herbs herbs/medicinal plants collected from different natural sources in India were cut into small pieces of about 15 cm, dried at 50° C., crushed and powdered to 400-mesh. The dried powder of Gymnema sylvestre 50 g, Momordica charantia 400 g, Syzgium cumini 100 g, Pterocarpus marsupium 50 g, Trigonella foenum-graecum 20 g, Cinnamomum tamala 80 g, Pueraria tuberosa 100 g, Asparagus racemosus 100 g and Aegle marmelos 100 g were extracted with 2.0 lit aqueous alcohol 90% v/v thrice for 48 hours, at 50° C., the said solvent from combined extractives was removed under reduced pressure at 150 PSI at temperature 80° C. and the viscous residue thus obtained is called as plants extract. The 49.5 g plants extract was suspended in 300 ml of 90% water-ethanol mixture by stirring for 60 minutes, the suspension of plants extract was mixed with 50 g of roasted seeds powder mixture and mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 60 minutes. The mixture was dried for a period of 50 hours at temperature 50° C. The powder thus obtained was used to prepare final nutraceutical. The dried plants extract and seed powders mixture was mixed with the optional additives of Piper longum fruits powder 0.5 g and the total mixture was again mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of 60 minutes to get the final nutraceutical. The end product is suitable for use in the form of powder, granules, biscuits, suspension, tablets or capsules etc for diabetics.

The combination of the present nutraceutical(s) is a mixture having synergistic (Table 4) health protective and promotive properties useful as food supplement to ameliorate the general health of diabetics with optimum nutrients and also help to control the blood sugar (Table 5).

Advantages

Include control in blood/urine sugar levels, ameliorate diabetes related health problems like reduction in fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, numbing effect, frequent urination, unusual thirst and hunger, weight loss, swellings on legs/ankles, burning sensation on feet, palms, relief in skin itching, skin dryness, black patches on skin, hypertension, increase in sleep comfort, feeling more energetic, improvement in laziness, blurred vision, frequent skin infections and slow healing of wounds and sores. A 10-30% reduction in insulin doses was also observed after 6-8 weeks in IDDM adult diabetics and 30 to 100% reduction of oral medicines in NIDDM adult diabetics was found. TABLE 1 The composition of the present nutraceutical formulation(s) (Nutra-Diab) and commercial herbal antidiabetic products. Commercial herbal antidiabetic Nutraceutical formulation(s) products Example 1: Glycine max 4.475, Cicer arietinum 8.95, Cogent-db: Each tablet is prepared out Phaseolus mungo 4.475, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba of Azadirecta indica bark 3 g, 4.475, Mucuna pruriens 4.475, Hordeum vulgare 35.8, Phyllanthus emblica 0.7 g, Terminalia Amaranthus hypochondriacus 8.95, Fagopyrum bellerica 0.7 g, T. chebula 0.7 g, esculantum 17.9, Gymnema sylvestre 0.2, Momordica Tribulus terrestris 1.0 g, Aconitum charantia 0.5, Syzgium cumini 0.8, Pterocarpus heterophyllum 0.1 g, Curcuma longa marsupium 0.5, Trigonella foenum-graecum 1.0, 0.8 g, Syzygium cumini 2.0 g, Rotula Cinnamomum tamala 4.0, Withania somnifera 0.2, aquatica 1.0 g. Coccinia indica 0.5, Pueraria tuberosa 2.0, Boerhaavia difussa 0.4 and Piper longum 0.5% by wt. Example 2: Glycine max 11.25, Cicer arietinum 7.5, Diabyog Capsules: Each capsule of Phaseolus mungo 3.75, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 500 mg contain Basant Kusumakar Ras 7.5, Mucuna pruriens 3.75, Hordeum vulgare 26.25, 60 mg,Yasad Bhasam 5 mg, yang Amaranthus hypochondriacus 7.5, Fagopyrum Bhasam 5 mg, Raj Jambu Beej 100 mg, esculantum 7.5, Gymnema sylvestre 8.0, Momordica Guduchi 40 mg, Sudh Shilajeet 30 mg, charantia 1.0, Syzgium cumini 0.4, Pterocarpus Meshasringi 60 mg, Shushavi Ghan 50 marsupium 2.0, Trigonella foenum-graecum 1.6, mg, Neem Ghan 30 mg, Methi Ghan 30 Cinnamomum tamala 1.0, Withania somnifera 0.6, mg, Vijayasaar 50 mg, Goshul 20 mg, Asparagus racemosus 4.0, Boerhaavia difussa 0.4, Punamava 20 mg. Aegle marmelos 1.0, Piper longum 1.0, Curcuma longa 1.5, Chlorophytum tuberosum 2.0 and Elettaria cardamomum 0.5% by wt. Example 3: Glycine max 10.5, Cicer arietinum 10.5, Diabyog Granules: Each gram contain Phaseolus mungo 7.0, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 3.5, Swarn Makshik Bhasam 20 mg, Mucuna pruriens 3.5, Hordeum vulgare 21.0, Trivang Bhasam 20 mg, Shilajeet Amaranthus hypochondriacus 10.5 Fagopyrum Shudh 60 mg, Meshasringi 60 mg, esculantum 3.5, Gymnema sylvestre 0.5, Momordica Shushavi Ghan 50 mg, Raj Jambu Beej charantia 2.0, Syzgium cumini 2.5, Pterocarpus 100 mg, Guduchi, Arjun, Gokshus, marsupium 3.75, Trigonella foenum-graecum 3.75, Neem, Bhumlamlabi, Raj Jambu Patra, Cinnamomum tamala 5.0, Withania somnifera 1.25, Methini, Safed Chandan, Punarnava, Coccinia indica 5.0, Pueraria tuberosa 0.75, Satavar each 50 mg/g, Twak 30 mg, Asparagus racemosus 0.5, Piper longum 1.0 and Vijayasaar, Kramuka, Aguru each 3.3 Elettaria cardamomum 4.0%. mg, Excepient Q.S. Example 4: Glycine max 13.0, Cicer arietinum 9.75, Diabecon: Extract Meshashringi Phaseolus mungo 6.5, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 30 mg, Pitasara 20 mg, Yashti-madhu 20 3.25, Phaseolus raditus 3.25, Hordeum vulgare 16.25, Saptarangi 20 mg, Jambu 20 Amaranthus hypochondriacus 9.75, Fagopyrum mg, Shatavari 20 mg, Punarnava 20 mg, esculantum 3.25, Gymnema sylvestre 3.0, Momordica Mundatika 10 mg, Guduchi 10 mg, charantia 0.6, Syzgium cumini 2.4, Pterocarpus Kairata 10 mg, Gokshura 10 mg, marsupium 4.5, Trigonella foenum-graecum 6.0, Bhumyaamlaki 10 mg, Gumbhari 10 mg, Cinnamomum tamala 4.5, Withania somnifera 6.0, Karpasi 10 mg, Karpasi 10 mg, Coccinia indica 0.6, Pueraria tuberosa 1.5, Asparagus Daruharidra 5 mg, Kumari 5 mg, racemosus 0.9, Piper longum 1.0 and Chlorophytum Triphala 3 mg, Pdrs. Guggule (purified) tuberosum 4.0%. 30 mg, Shilajeet (purified) 30 mg, Vidangadi lauham 27 mg, Sushavi 20 mg, Maricha 10 mg, Vishnu priya 10 mg, Atibala 10 mg, Haridra 10 mg, Abhrak bhasam 10 mg, Praval bhasam 10 mg, Jungli palak 5 mg, yang bhasam 5 mg, Akik pisti 5 mg, Shingraf 5 mg, Yasad bhasam 5 mg, Trikuta 5 mg.Processed in Udumbara, Babbula puga, Ashvagandha, Tagara, Shyonaka, Chandana, Sunthi, Jambu. Example 5: Glycine max 12.0, Cicer arietinum 6.0, Madhu Mehari Granules: Gymnema Phaseolus mungo 3.0, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 3.0, sylsylvestra 10%, Syzygium cumini Phaseolus raditus 6.0, Mucuna pruriens 6.0, Hordeum 10%, Memordica charantia 10%, vulgare 9.0, Amaranthus hypochondriacus 12.0, Tinosphora cordifolia 10%, Acacia Fagopyrum esculantum 3.0, Gymnema sylvestre 1.75, catechu 5%, Emblica officinalis 10%, Momordica charantia 1.75, Syzgium cumini 0.7, Pterocarpus marsupium 5%, Ficus Pterocarpus marsupium 2.8, Trigonella foenum- racemosa 5%, Picrorhiza kurroa 5%, graecum 14.0, Cinnamomum tamala 3.5, Coccinia Trigonella foenum-graecum 5%, indica 1.05 , Asparagus racemosus 1.75, Boerhaavia Asphaltum punjabinum 10%, Trivang difussa 7.0, Aegle marmelos 0.7, Piper longum 4.0 Bhasm 2%, Abhrak Bhasm 2%, Swam and Curcuma longa 1.0%. Makshik Bhasm 2%, Excepient starch- lactose 4% w/w. Example 6: Glycine max 5.5, Cicer arietinum 22.0, Madhu Sunva: Each Kg contain Phaseolus mungo 1.65, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 1.1, Gudmar Fali 150 g, Jamun Seed 150 g, Phaseolus raditus 8.2, Hordeum vulgare 11.0, Karela Seed, 100 g, Kundru Root 100 g, Amaranthus hypochondriacus 5.5, Gymnema sylvestre Asgandha 100 g, Pure Shilajeet 10 g, 3.2, Momordica charantia 4.0, Syzgium cumini 2.0, Gurhal Pushp 50 g, Tulsi Root 90 g, Pterocarpus marsupium 16.0, Trigonella foenum- Vijayasaar Wood 150 g. graecum 2.0, Cinnamomum tamala 0.8, Withania somnifera 0.4, Coccinia indica 0.8, Pueraria tuberosa 0.8, Boerhaavia difussa 2.0, Aegle marmelos 8.0, Piper longum 3.0, Chlorophytum tuberosum 1.5 and Elettaria cardamomum 0.5%. Example 7: Glycine max 12.5, Cicer arietinum 10.0, Madhumeh Amrit: Azadirecta indica Phaseolus mungo 7.5, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 7.5 (leaves) 10, Aegle marmelos (leaves) Hordeum vulgare 5.0, Fagopyrum esculantum 7.5 10 Gymnema sylvestra 10, Syzygium Gymnema sylvestre 4.5, Momordica charantia 2.25, cumini (seeds) 10, Ficus glomerata Syzgium cumini 18.0, Pterocarpus marsupium 0.9, (fruits) 10, Sphaeranthus indicus 10, Trigonella foenum-graecum 3.6, Cinnamomum tamala Leucas cephalotus 10, Trigonella 2.25, Withania somnifera 4.5, Coccinia indica 4.5 foenum-graecum 5.0, Symplocos Boerhaavia difussa 4.5, Piper longum 1.0 and racemosus 2.0, Piper cubeb 2.0, Curcuma longa 4.0%. Nyctanthes arbortristis (flowers) 1.0, Example 8: Glycine max 15.0, Cicer arietinum 5.0, Withania somnifera 3.0, Mucuna prurita Phaseolus mungo 10.0, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba 3.0, Shilajit 1.0, Phyllanthus emblica 10.0, Hordeum vulgare 2.5, Amaranthus 2.0, Terminalia chebula 1.0, Terminalia hypochondriacus 2.5, Fagopyrum esculantum 5.0, belerica 1.0, Aegle marmelos 1.0, Gymnema sylvestre 2.475, Momordica charantia 19.8, Memordica charantia (seeds) 3.0, Syzgium cumini 4.95, Pterocarpus marsupium 2.475, Zingiber officinale 5.0%. Trigonella foenum-graecum 0.99, Cinnamomum tamala 3.96, Pueraria tuberosa 4.95, Asparagus racemosus 4.95, Aegle marmelos 4.95 and Piper longum 0.5%.

The amount of (% composition) of herbs/medicinal plants extract, seed powders and additional additives in the end nutraceutical products (Nutra-diab). Examples 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Plants extract % 10 20 25 30 35 40 45 49.5 Seed 89.5 75 70 65 60 55 50 50 powders % Additives % 0.5 5 5 5 5 5 5 0.5

TABLE 2 The amount of (% composition) of seed powders (legumes , cereals & pseudocereals) in the base products. (Nutra-Diab) Essential Example Nos. % Legumes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Range Glycine max 5 15 15 20 20 10 25 30 5-30% Cicer arietinum 10 10 15 15 10 40 20 10 10-40%  Phaseolus 5 5 10 10 5 3 15 20 3-20% mungo Cyamopsis 5 10 5 5 5 2 15 20 2-20% tetragonoloba Optional Legumes Phaseolus 0 0 0 5 10 15 0 0 0-15% radiatus Mucuna 5 5 5 0 10 0 0 0 0-10% pruriens Total Legumes* 30 45 50 55 60 70 75 80 30-80%  Cereal (Essential) Hordeum 40 35 30 25 15 20 10 5 5-40% vulgare Total cereals** 40 35 30 25 15 20 10 5 5-40% Pseudo Cereals (Optional) A. hypochon- 10 10 15 15 20 10 0 5 0-20% driacus Fagopyrum 20 10 5 5 5 0 15 10 0-20% esculantum Total pseudo 30 20 20 20 25 10 15 15 10-30%  Cereals*** SUMMARY of the % Composition of seed powders in base product (Table 1) Example Nos Ingredients% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 % Range * Total Legumes 30 45 50 55 60 70 75 80 30-80% ** Total Cereals 40 35 30 25 15 20 10 5  5-40% *** Total 30 20 20 20 25 10 15 15 10-30% Pseudocereals

TABLE 3 The amount of (% composition) of herbs/medicinal plants in the total mixture used for extraction/or as powder. Herbs/medi- % cinal plants 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Range Essential Gymnema 2 40 2 10 5 8 10 5 2-40% sylvestre Momordica 5 5 8 2 5 10 5 40 2-40% charantia Syzgium cumini 8 2 10 8 2 5 40 10 2-40% Pterocarpus 5 10 15 15 8 40 2 5 2-40% marsupium Trigonella 10 8 15 20 40 5 8 2 2-40% foenum- graecum Cinnamomum 40 5 20 15 10 2 5 8 2-40% tamala Optional Herbs Withania 2 3 5 20 0 1 10 0 0-20% somnifera Coccinia indica 5 0 20 2 3 2 10 0 0-20% Pueraria 20 0 3 5 0 2 0 10 0-20% tuberosa Asparagus 0 20 2 3 5 0 0 10 0-20% recemosus Boerhaavia 3 2 0 0 20 5 10 0 0-20% diffusa Aegle marmelos 0 5 0 0 2 20 0 10 0-20% Additional Herbs: Piper longum, Curcuma longa, Chiorophytum tuberosum and Elettaria cardamomu, were used in the range of up to 4.0% in the end product(s).

TABLE 4 Trial feed back remarks from volunteers of the nutraceutical product(s) 1. Product Volunteered to take: Herbal health protective and promotive Nutraceutical for Diabetics 2. Age group: 30-70 years (both men & women) 3. Number of Volunteers: 10 in each case (8 men & 2 women) 4. Profession/Family background: Service class, business, retired & house wife etc 5. Taste & Flavor: Acceptable 6. Feeling after Consuming the Product: After one week, two weeks & one month Product One Week Two Weeks One Month Conclusion 1 NS NS NS NS (10)* 2 NS NS NS NS (10) 3 NS NS Satisfactory NS (10) 4 Satisfactory Satisfactory Good Satisfactory (9) 5 Satisfactory Good Good Good (7) 6 Good Very Good Very Good Very Good (6) 7 Good Very Good Very Good Very Good (7) 8 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good (8) 9 Very Good Excellent Excellent Excellent (8) 10** Very Good Excellent Excellent Excellent (8) 11** Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (8) NS = not significant effect, can not say; *Number of persons who remarked out often; **The products generated as final products; The word satisfactory, good, very good arid excellent stands for the efficacy of the product(s) as reported by volunteers after consuming the product(s), e.g. no side effects, no any kind of digestive problem, improvement in vigour, energetic, general health, and diabetes related health problems. The concluding remarks of the volunteers include the effect of nutraceutical product to control Blood/Urine Sugar Level, to ameliorate diabetes related health problems like fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, numbing effect, frequent urination, unusual thirst & hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent skin infections and slow healing of wounds or sores. Products 1-11 = Base (Roasted seed powders mixture) + extract of single herb/medicinal plant or different combinations. Product 1 = Base + Gymnema sylvestre; Product 2 = Base + Gymnema sylvestre + Momordica charantia; Product 3 = Base + Gymnema sylvestre + Momordica charantia + Syzgium cumini; Product 4 = Base + Gymnema sylvestre + Momordica charantia + Syzgium cumini + Pterocarpus marsupium; Product 5 = Base + Gymnema sylvestre + # Momordica charantia + Syzgium cumin graecum; Product 6 = Base + Gymnema sylvestre + Momordica charantia + Syzgium cumini + Pterocarpus marsupium + Trigonella foenum-graecutn + Cinnamomum tamala; Product 7 = Base + Gymnema sylvestre + Momordica charantia + Syzgium cumini + Pterocarpus marsupium + Trigonellafoenum-graecum + # Cinnamomum tamala + Withania somnfera; Product 8 = Base + Gymnema sylvestre + Momordica charantia + Syzgium cumini + Pterocarpus marsupium + Trigonellafoenum-graecum + Cinnamomum tamala + Withania somnfera + Pueraria tuberosa; Product 9 = Base + Gymnema sylvestre + Momordica charantia + Syzgium cumini + Pterocarpus marsupium # + Trigonellafoenum-graecum + Cinnamomum tamala + Withania somnifera + Pueraria tuberosa + Asparagus racemosus; Product 10 = Base + Gymnema sylvestre + Momordica charantia + Syzgium cumini + Pterocarpus marsupium + Trigonella foenum-graecum + Cinnamomum tamala + Withania somnfera + Pueraria tuberosa + Asparagus racemosus # + Boerhaavia diffusa; Product 11 = Base + Gymnema sylvestre + Mornordica charantia + Syzgium cumini + Pterocarpus marsupium + Trigonellafoenum-graecum + Cinnamomum tamala + Withania somnifera + Pueraria tuberosa + Asparagus racemosus + Boerhaavia diffusa + Aegle marmelos . Suggestions: Improvement in taste, solubility/ suspension

TABLE 5 Trial Feed Back from Volunteers after consuming the Herbal health protective and promotive Nutraceutical(s) for Diebetics for 3 months. Sl. Cat- Age Total Number No. egory Group Male Female of Volunteers Remarks 1. IDDM  4-10 5 5 10 (10*) NS** 2. IDDM 20-50 2 8  10 (5*) Satisfactory 3. IDDM 50-75 5 5  10 (7*) Good 4. NIDDM 30-40 20 10 30 (24*) Excellent 5. NIDDM 40-50 20 10 30 (21*) Excellent 6. NIDDM 50-85 20 10 30 (21*) Excellent Age Group in years, *Number of persons remark, NS = Not satisfactory, **did not continue due to its taste Doses: 5 to 10 g (depending on age & symptoms) of the nutraceutical (Nutra-Diab) was taken twice a day before breakfast/lunch and dinner, as food supplement beside the normal/usual drug/medicine/insulin doses etc. being used by the patient/person. 

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A process for the preparation of a herbal nutraceutical product useful as food supplement for diabetics, said process comprising: a. selecting seeds from the group of the legumes Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Phaseolus radiatus, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, and Mucuna pruriens; the cereal Hordeum vulgare; and the pseudocereals Amaranthus hypochondriacus, and Fagopyrum esculantus; b. roasting the seeds for 2 to 15 minutes under microwave conditions at a frequency 1500-2500 MHz, powdering the roasted seeds to a mesh size of 50-400, and mixing the resulting roasted seed powders to form a base product; c. obtaining powder or extract of herbs/medicinal plants from the group of Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia, Syzgium cumini, Pterocarpus marsupium, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Cinnamomum tamala, Withania somnifera, Coccinia indica, Pueraria tuberosa, Asparagus racemosus, Boerhaavia diffusa, and Aegle marmelos; d. drying the powder or extract to obtain a residue; and e. forming the nutraceutical product by mixing the residue with the base product, and, optionally, adding one or more additives selected from Piper longum, Curcuma longa, Chlorophytum tuberosum and Elettaria cardamomum powders.
 22. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the roasted seeds are powdered separately to pass through sieves having mesh size ranging from 50 to 400 mesh.
 23. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the amount of roasted seed powders used in the nutraceutical product is in the range between 50 to 90% by weight.
 24. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the roasted seed powders comprise legumes in the range 30 to 80% by wt, cereal in the range 5 to 40% by wt, and pseudocerels in the range 10 to 30% by wt.
 25. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the roasted seed powders are mixed in various proportions ranging up to 80% by wt.
 26. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the plant parts used are selected from roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood and whole plant of herbs/medicinal plants ranging up to 40% by wt. are selected for use in the nutraceutical product.
 27. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the herbs/medicinal plants powder is prepared by cutting the plants into small pieces ranging from 1 to 15 cm, drying the pieces under shade at the temperature ranging from 20 to 50° C., and powdering the dried pieces to powder ranging from 10 to 400 mesh.
 28. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the herbs/medicinal plants comprise to 40% by wt. of the nutraceutical product.
 29. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the powdered herbs/medicinal plants mixture is extracted with an aqueous alcohol solvent in the range of 5 to 95% v/v thrice for 5 to 48 hours, at temperature ranging from 20 to 50° C.
 30. A process as claimed in claim 29, wherein the alcohol is selected from methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol and butanol.
 31. A process as claimed in claim 29, wherein said solvent from combined extractives is removed under reduced pressure ranging from 10 to 150 PSI at temperature ranging from 20 to 80° C. and the viscous residue thus obtained is called as plants extract.
 32. A process as claimed in claim 31, wherein the plants extract is suspended in water-ethanol mixture from 0 to 90% v/v in the ratio ranging from 10 to 30% by wt. by stirring for 5 to 60 minutes.
 33. A process as claimed in claim 32, wherein the suspension of plants extract or plants powders are mixed with roasted seeds powder mixture in the ratio ranging up to 50% by wt.
 34. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the base product and the residue are mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of ranging from 5 to 60 minutes.
 35. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the mixture is dried for a period of ranging from 5 to 50 hours at temperature ranging from 20 to 50° C.
 36. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the amount of additives added is Piper longum fruits powder 0.5 to 4.0% by wt, Curcuma longa rhizomes powder 0 to 4.0% by wt, Chlorophytum tuberosum rhizomes powder 0 to 4.0% by wt, and Elettaria cardamomum fruits powder 0 to 4.0% by weight.
 37. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the mixture comprising the base product and the residue is again mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of ranging from 5 to 60 minutes and the powder thus obtained is used to prepare the nutraceutical product.
 38. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein said dried plants extract or plants powders and seeds powders mixture is mixed with in the ratio ranging up to 90% by wt.
 39. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein up to 4.0% by weight of Piper longum fruits powder is added.
 40. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein up to 4.0% by wt. Curcuma longa rhizomes powder is added.
 41. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein up to 4.0% by wt. Elettaria cardamomum powder is added.
 42. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the residue, the base product, and the Piper longum fruits powder, Curcuma longa rhizomes powder, Chlorophytum tuberosum rhizomes powder, and Elettaria cardamizomum fruits powder mixture is mixed thoroughly in a mixer grinder for a period of ranging from 5 to 60 minutes to form the nutraceutical product.
 43. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the nutraceutical product is suitable for use in the form of powder, granules, biscuits, suspension, tablets or capsules etc for diabetics.
 44. A process for ameliorating the general health of diabetics, the process comprising the step of administrating a herbal nutraceutical formulation to a diabetic, the herbal nutraceutical formulation consisting essentially of: 50-90% by wt. of seed products selected from the group consisting of legumes, cereals, and pseudocereals; and 10-50% by wt of a plant product composition consisting of herbs and medicinal plants, wherein the plant product composition consists essentially of 2-40% by wt. Gymnema sylvestre, 2-40% by wt. Momordica charantia, 2-40% by wt. Syzgium cumini, 2-40% by wt. Pterocarpus marsupium, 2-40% by wt. Trigonella foenum-graecum, 2-40% by wt. Cinnamomum tamala, 0-20% by wt. Withania somnifera, 0-20% by wt. Coccinia indica, 0-20% by wt. Pueraria tuberosa, 0-20% by wt. Asparagus recemosus, 0-20% by wt. Boeraavia diffusa, 0-20% by wt. Aegle marmelos, and, optionally, acceptable amounts of additives selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Curcuma longa, and Elettaria cardamomum; whereby the general health of the diabetic is ameliorated.
 45. A process as claimed in claim 44, wherein the legumes are selected from the group consisting of Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus mungo, Cyamompsis tetragonoloba, and mixtures thereof.
 46. A process as claimed in claim 44, wherein the cereal is Hordeum vulgare.
 47. A process as claimed in claim 44, wherein the pseudocereals are selected from the group consisting of Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Fagopyrum esculantum.
 48. A process as claimed in claim 44, wherein said plant product composition contains the additives selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Curcuma longa, and Elettaria cardamomum.
 49. A process as claimed in claim 44, wherein the legume is Cicer arietnum and the pseudocereal is Fagopyrum esculantum.
 50. A process as claimed in claim 44, wherein said seed products comprise 30-80% by wt. legumes, 5-40% by wt. cereals, and 10-30% by wt. pseudocereals. 